Rowlock



Aug. 13, 1946. H. L AR SEN ROWLOCK Filed Jan. 24, 1945 INVENTOR.

. Harry Larsen. 212 Q Patented Aug. 13, 1946 UNITED STATES \ATENT ormen- 1 Claim.

This invention appertains to improvements in car or rowlocks generally, and has for its primary object to provide an efficient type of swivel mounting for the same, which is adapted to be fastened directly on the edge of the gunwale of a small boat, such as a rowboat, in lieu of usual socket block to receive the thole of the ordinary type of socket rowlock, the mounting being adapted for securement by screws in a manner to eliminate any and all need for reinforcement of the gunwale structure, or the use of filler blocks in such structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rowlock and a swivel mounting therefor, which greatly facilitates the laying-in or boating of the cars, without requiring the lifting of the cars from the locks in order to-separate the latter from the mounting.

With these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention resides in the certain new and useful combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, set forth in the appended claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view ofthe improved rowlock, including a portion of the loom of an oar and the leather thereof, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the inner side of the structure of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation taken at right angles to that of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the swivel mounting per se; and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the rowlock per se.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the rowlock, as it is exemplified therein, is comprised essentially of an upright ring [0, to be engaged on the loom A of an oar, an annular supporting shoulder l2 surrounding the upper end of a relatively short, substantially cylindrical, shank It, which is provided with a circular head 18 on its lower end. The loom A is preferably provided with a leather cuff B, to protect it against rubbing wear against the ring and to more or less muffie the sound incident to rowing movements, and a preventer, in the form of an annular flange C at the inner end of the cuff, to engage the inner side of the ring In, to prevent unintended disengagement of the car from th latter and its possible loss outboard of the boat.

The rowlock, as thus constructed, is supported in a swivel mounting, which is in the form of a casting or the like, having a flat base portion 20 that is upwardly thickened, as at 22, between its ends, that is provided with a transversely disposed slotway. This slotway is of inverted T- form in cross-section and opens through the top side of the thickened portion 22, with its outer end closed and its inner end opening through the inner side of the mounting. The shank M, of the ring I0, is flattened, as at I6, at opposite points on its periphery, for sliding engagement in the upper narrower portion 24, of the slotway, which terminates at its outer end in a circular opening 26, to permit of the required turning movements of the shank l4 and, consequently, of the ring l0, correspondingly with rowing motions of the oar, while the head I8 is of a diameter only slightly less than the width of the lower portion 28, of the slotway, to provide a clearance sufficient to permit of its ready engagement in and disengagement from the latter. The ends of the base 20 are each provided with pairs of counter-sunk apertures to receive fastening 30, such as screws or the like, and a like aperture may be provided in the base, at its center, to receive an additional fastening 32; access being had to the latter through the circular opening 26.

In use, with the rowlocks secured in place on the gunwales at opposite sides of a small boat;

the ring ll] of each rowlock will be engaged on the loom A, from the handle end (not shown) of an oar and, thereafter, the leather cuff B is secured on the loom and engaged through the ring, with the preventer C, at the inner end of the cuff, abutted against the inner side of the ring. In order to lay-in or "boat the oars, bladed ends (not shown) thereof are swung inwardly of the sides of the boat to place the oars in fore and aft positions, when inward pulls on the loom-s will withdraw the headed shanks from the slotways in the base 20, allowing the cars to be layed in positions of readiness as is customary. As shown by the broken line ID, on Figures 1, 3 and 5, the ring I0 is made substantially oval in cross-section so that usual rowing motions of the oar A are permitted, even though the cuff B has a substantially snug fit in the open center of the ring, and these motions are further facilitated by the compressible nature of the material from which the cup is made.

From this description of thelrowlock, and the manner of its use, it will be obvious that it may be conveniently and quickly fastened in position on the gunwale of a rowboat, or other small craft, by screws, or on the clamp rail D (Figures 2 and 3), in which case, bolts 30' may be substituted for the screws. By this manner of fastening, it will be evident that there is no need to weaken the gunwale structure by boring holes therein to form sockets to receive tholepins or the like, nor is it necessary that filler blocks or any reinforcement be employed in such structure, in order to correctly and properly mount the rowlocks in place.

What I claim is: p g

In combination, a'ring rowlock and a swivel mounting therefor. said mounting being adapted to be fastened on the edge of the gunwale of a rowboat or the like and having a slotway open- 4 ring having a substantially cylindrical shank, an annular supporting shoulder at the upper end of the shank, and a circular head at the lower end of the shank, said slotway being of inverted T-form, the upper narrower portion of said slotway terminating at its outer end in a circular opening, said shank being flattened at opposite points on its periphery to allow for its passage inwardly of the upper narrower portion of said slotway and into said circular opening for subsequent turning movements in the latter during rowing motions of the oar.

ing through its top and inner side, and said HARRY V. LARSEN. 

